INTRO
If you’ve never had Schnitzel before, you’re missing out on one of the great comfort dishes of the world. And if you think you have had it but it came from a chain restaurant or a frozen box – you haven’t really had it. Not the real thing.
At Guidon Brewing Restaurant in Hendersonville, NC, we make our Schnitzel the right way. Hand-flattened, properly breaded, fried to golden brown perfection, and served with pommes frites and a classic German salad. It’s a dish we’re genuinely proud of, and one that surprises people every single time they try it for the first time.
Here’s everything you need to know before you order.
SO WHAT EXACTLY IS SCHNITZEL?
Schnitzel is a traditional German and Austrian dish made from a thin, hand-flattened cutlet of meat – most commonly pork, though veal and chicken versions exist – that is breaded and pan-fried until golden and crispy. The word itself simply means cutlet in German, but over centuries it has come to represent an entire cooking tradition built around technique, simplicity, and quality ingredients.
The key to a great Schnitzel is the preparation. The meat must be pounded thin and even so it cooks uniformly. The breading must be light and crispy, not thick and heavy. And the frying must be done correctly – hot enough to crisp the exterior instantly, gentle enough to keep the meat inside tender and juicy. It sounds straightforward, but there’s real skill involved in getting it right every time.
THE THREE TYPES OF SCHNITZEL ON OUR MENU
We offer three variations at Guidon Brewing Restaurant, each one built on the same foundation but taken in a different direction.
Wienerschnitzel – $16 The classic. Wienerschnitzel – which literally translates to Viennese Schnitzel – is the version most people know and the one that defines the dish. A hand-flattened pork cutlet, lightly breaded and fried to golden brown perfection, served with pommes frites and a classic German salad. No sauce, no extras – just the pure, honest version of the dish that has made it a German staple for generations. This is the one to start with if you’ve never had Schnitzel before.
Jägerschnitzel – $17 Jäger means hunter in German, and Jägerschnitzel – hunter’s Schnitzel – is the version that comes with a sauce. In this case, our house-made Jägersosse – a rich, deeply savory mushroom gravy made from scratch in our kitchen. The same golden-fried pork cutlet as the Wienerschnitzel, but served smothered in this incredible gravy alongside pommes frites and a classic German salad. The combination of the crispy breaded cutlet and the rich mushroom gravy is one of those food pairings that just makes complete sense. This is our most popular Schnitzel and for very good reason.
Schnitzel Royal – $17 The most indulgent of the three. Our Schnitzel Royal takes the same hand-breaded, golden-fried pork cutlet and covers it with sliced tomatoes before smothering the whole thing in baked Swiss cheese. Rich, satisfying, and impossible to stop eating. Served with pommes frites and a classic German salad. If you’re the kind of person who believes more is more, this is your Schnitzel.
WHAT MAKES OURS DIFFERENT
There are a few things that separate a great Schnitzel from a mediocre one, and we think about all of them.
First, we hand-flatten every cutlet ourselves. This takes more time than buying pre-thinned meat, but it gives us control over the thickness and texture that makes a real difference in the final dish.
Second, our breading is made in-house. We’re not using a commercial mix – the breading on our Schnitzel is seasoned and prepared by our kitchen team, and it shows in the crunch.
Third, our sides are made with the same care. The pommes frites that come with every Schnitzel are seasoned and cooked fresh. The classic German salad is simple and bright – a clean counterpoint to the richness of the main dish.
And finally – the beer. A cold, well-crafted lager alongside a plate of Jägerschnitzel is one of the great food and drink pairings you can experience. We brew our own beer on site, and our staff will always point you in the right direction if you’re not sure what to order.
NEVER TRIED SCHNITZEL BEFORE? HERE’S WHAT TO EXPECT
If you’re ordering Schnitzel for the first time, here’s what you’re in for. The cutlet arrives golden, flat, and crispy – larger than you might expect because the pounding process spreads the meat out significantly. The exterior is light and crunchy without being thick or bready. The meat inside is tender and juicy. The pommes frites alongside it are hot and well-seasoned. And if you ordered the Jägerschnitzel, that mushroom gravy is going to make the whole thing even better than you imagined.
Our honest advice – start with the Wienerschnitzel to get the pure version, and then come back for the Jägerschnitzel on your next visit. Most people do exactly that.
COME TRY IT IN HENDERSONVILLE
We’re located at 415 8th Avenue E, Hendersonville, NC 28792 – in the heart of Hendersonville, easy to reach from Asheville, Flat Rock, Brevard, Fletcher, Waynesville and all of Western North Carolina. Walk in, sit down, and let us introduce you to one of Germany’s greatest dishes.
You don’t need to have ever set foot in Germany to appreciate a great Schnitzel. You just need to come hungry.
Ready to try the real thing? View Our Full Menu and plan your visit today.
